The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1887-03-17

restraint, for which. according to his
idea of right and. he was not to blame,
yet he longed to make his peace wis
Mildred, longed TO take her IN his arms
and k SIS away. her tears. and assure
her over and over again how dear she
was to him and how much he missed
the sweet comp~anionship that had been
theirs until this cloud came between
them. Tonight. for the first time since
their arrangement, his heart softenec
at the memory of her pale, weary face.
~ have been a brute and a fool!' ne
said to himself. II should have re-
membered that she was young anc
thoughtless. and that her sudden out
burst of jealousy was a proof thSt she
cared for me, perhaps, more than de-
serve. l wonder if L made u mistake
in asking such a childish creature tc
marry me? No doubt she would have
been happier as the wife OF a younger
man."
Closing the door of his room softly.
he crossed the hall and looked into ms
wife's room. A fire burned cheerfully
in the CRATE; an open book lay on the
table. and Il pair of dainty, embroidered
slippers had been thrown carelessly by
the fire. On the open book lay n little
glove with the faint perfume of vioIetS
still clinging to it. How wildly every
thing suggested the presence OF his
young wife, and yet the room was va
cant!
A sudden, vague foreboding seizec
him, as he pushed the door open
and went in, hen with a little nervous
laugh he sat down before the fire.
''HOw foolish 1 am, she has only gone
out for an hour or two. 1t is quite
comfortable here; / will wait awhile"
He fell to thinking and the more he
reasoned, the stronger was his cOnvic-
ton that he had been much,i if not wholly,
to blame for the present wretched state
of affairs. He recalled with a feeling
of s~elf-reproach that he had spoken
harShly and coldly, when q few kind
words might have set matters straight.
''Yet she must know that | love her,
he said aloud, picking up the glove and
pressing it to his lips. Then looking
up suddenly, he saw Mildred standing
in the open door.
.dohn!" and she came a step for
ward, her eyes shining. her voice full
of pleased surprise. Il thought you
had gone out anG-and-I ran over tc
Lizzie's a little while. / had no idea il
was raining so hard" she added, as
she removed her damp cloak and came
nearer to the fire. Lizzie sent me
home in the carriage" with a quick
blush and Il furtive glance at her hus-
band.
mildred" and Vernon now drew
har 6nWn tn mic Inno g.iapI+ ~ fhirB
it about time YOU were devoting some
of vour spare evenings to meg"
And don't you think about time you
were quitting that horrid club?" asked
NJ ldred, hiding her face on his shoulder.
After tonight it shall know me nc
more" said Vernon, earnestly, as he
drew her closer TO his breast. I'm
afraid you are, too Young to understand
a crusty old fellow like me- he added,
with a sigh.
Nonsense, / am almost twentyr'
said Mildred, with a happy laugh.
And am forty" said Vernon. "a
and grabbed -
The dearest and best old fellow in
the wOrld!' interrupted Mildred with 4
fond kiss.
After tonight you are never to
doubt me again." said Vernon. '.Be-
cause'-h;s voice growing a little
stern-"where there is no perfect trust
can be no happiness"
Il DON'T see how we are going to be
happy if YOU keep bringing up d sagree.
able Subjects" sa Mildred with j
pout. 1T IS my nature to be
Jealous"
And mine." said Vernon smother
ng n strong desire to laugh. II ex-
beet to knock the first man down that
lares to pay you an open compliment"
And | expect TO be II martyr in the .
said Mildred, with an air of
Iappy resignation.
Miss Lay continues a frequent visitor
It Mildreds home, and nOtwithstand-
NC the reputation she bears of being q
am, shallow creature, Il gossip. and
nischiefmaker. she has convinced Mil
red, at least, that she knows how to
.eep q secret.
Although Vernon, having always re-
Miss Lay as a woman most de-
Old of brains and with very little heart.
sometimes at his wife's choice
f a friend, he as nothing because
e believes that Mildred has the happv
aculty of drawing out Miss Laws good
u%alities, and because in his fond fool
IN eyes, his wife is that creature of the
naglnatiOn-a perfect wOmanI-ADE-
AIDE ID. ROLLSToN, IN Tile Current.